One Day Float

[Kayser]

I was looking at doing a one day float (probably closer to half day) on either the Meramec or Big Piney this Saturday to chase smallies from the kayak. My friends don't fish, so they're more after scenery and swimming. Any suggestions on a stretch closer to Rolla that I can just shuttle myself rather than go through an outfitter? If not, which outfitter?

I'm used to floating the upper Bourbeuse, where 6 miles is a pretty full day of paddling if you fish. Any thoughts on how many miles would be possible on these rivers with the better current?

[moguy1973]

When we floated the BP/gasconade a month or so back we used RT66 canoe rentals for a shuttle. We parked at Jerome and he picked us up and took us to put in at his place on the BP. I'm sure he'd do the same for other stretches of the BP too.

If you want to just shuttle yourself you do do boiling spring to Jerome on the gasconade. It's a nice float with quality smallmouth fishing (special management area).

[Kayser]

Was hoping to go on one of the other two- avoid the Gnade and the jet boats.

Thumbing through my Paddler's Guide (forgot I had one), kinda looking at Ross to Eastgate on the Big Piney. I'm curious if I need to get permits from the fort to be on that stretch, and if it's safe to leave cars at either of those? Wondering about crowds and portages, too.

Also looking at Woodson K (Hway 8) to Scott, Scott to Riverview, or Riverview to Bird's Nest on the Meramec. I know the first one Includes Meramec Springs, Red Ribbon trout and a ban on plastics, and the other two are smallmouth management areas. I'm coming from St. Louis, so I'm thinking this would be a little easier to get to.

[ozark trout fisher]

On the Big Piney, I'm used to doing the two day float from Slabtown to Ross, and it's a good one. But there is an intermediate private access at Six Crossings for the purpose of day trips. I've never used Six Crossings myself always since I usually reserve that river for overnight trips, but I have heard that floaters can park there, perhaps for a fee. Others can hopefully shed a bit more light on this access if it's the route you choose to go.

I'd recommend Slabtown to 6x for scenery, lack of crowds, and excellent smallie fishing. The fishing and scenery are also good from Six Crossings to Ross Bridge, but in my experience the crowds there are at least 2-3 times worse than what you'd find Slabtown to Six Crossings-and that may be an understatement.

I'm not familiar with the stretch between Ross and the Fort Leonard Wood boundary, though it does sound like a fun area to explore. If you do check it out make sure you let us know how it goes.

[Greasy B]

Yea you can float through the fort but the shuttle is very long and you will need to portage around a water supply dam (big pain). If your camping you would need to not do so around fort recreational facilities. East Gate is not a safe place to leave a vehicle. it all adds up to alot of hassle and few people do it. You would think the the section through the fort would be relatively untouched but in reality it gets pounded pretty hard by the meat keepers.

[riverrat]

I wouldn't worry too much about jet boat traffic right now. The river is really low and some of the shoals are not deep enough for jets.

[KCRIVERRAT]

If you do the BP and only wanna float for the day Six Crossings to Ross is what I'd do. If you wanna shuttle yourself you can and it's ok to leave a vehicle or two at 6X for the day. Don't really know if I'd leave one overnight there. Probably be easier to just call Wilderness Ridge and have them shuttle you. But you can leave a vehicle or two at their place if you really wanna shuttle yourself.

Just thinking that with school starting in many places the Saturday crowds should be way down, not sure if the college kids are back to school yet or not. But they might be too busy getting ready for school right now to float. Floated once years ago from Ross to the Fort in the fall with Rich's and had it to ourselves. Great trip and Rich picked us up somewhere next to the water supply dam but I can't remember exactly where.

Wherever you go... have a good (and cold) one!

[Kayser]

Got an errand to run tomorrow morning in STL, so I'm gonna try the Meramec, Scotts to Riverview. Gonna take some poppers, flukes, tubes, jigs, twister grubs, and of course my original floating Rapala's. Not sure what else I've got that would be worthwhile smallie baits. Really don't care- I love twitching those Rapala's.